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New bill in California aims to ban Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and other snacks in schools
California is considering a new bill that could potentially ban popular snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from being sold in schools. The proposed legislation aims to remove foods containing artificial ingredients such as red 40, blue 1, and titanium dioxide, which are commonly found in many child-friendly snacks like chips and cereals.
The bill targets specific ingredients like red 40, yellow 5, and yellow 6, which are commonly found in Cheetos and Doritos, as well as blue 1, found in cereals like Froot Loops and Fruity Pebbles. Other snacks like Jolly Ranchers and certain soups and mac and cheese brands also contain these artificial colorings.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has been advocating for the banning of these ingredients, citing health concerns related to their consumption. They point to studies showing that some of these dyes have been linked to DNA damage, cancer, hyperactivity, and other neurobehavioral issues in children.
Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat from California, is spearheading this bill and argues that these chemicals have no nutritional benefit and pose potential health risks to students. The National Institutes of Health has conducted studies showing that certain dyes like red 40, yellow 5, and yellow 6 may be contaminated with carcinogens and can cause hypersensitivity reactions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently approves the use of these dyes in foods but requires manufacturers to disclose their usage on product labels. However, the FDA acknowledges that there are limitations in their ability to fully assess the risks associated with these additives.
California has a history of being proactive in regulating food additives, having previously banned four other additives in 2023. The European Union has also banned certain additives that are permitted in the U.S., highlighting the differences in regulatory standards between regions.
If the bill is passed, California would join a growing list of jurisdictions taking steps to regulate the use of artificial ingredients in food products. Proponents of the bill argue that such measures are necessary to protect the health and well-being of school children.
Overall, this proposed legislation reflects a broader trend towards increased scrutiny of food additives and a growing awareness of the potential health risks associated with their consumption. It remains to be seen how this bill will fare in the legislative process and what impact it may have on the availability of popular snacks in California schools.
Written by: Caitlin O’Kane
News
Further Support for Gravitational Wave Background in the Universe
The discovery of the gravitational wave background in 2016 marked a significant milestone in our understanding of the Universe. This groundbreaking discovery was further validated by the release of a second data set from the European Pulsar Timing Array, along with the addition of data from the Indian Pulsar Timing Array. These complementary studies have provided more evidence for the existence of the gravitational wave background, shedding light on the cosmic phenomena that shape our universe.
Gravitational waves are ripples in spacetime that are generated by violent processes such as merging black holes and colliding neutron stars. Predicted by Einstein in 1916 as part of his General Theory of Relativity, these waves have the ability to travel through space, largely unimpeded by any obstacles in their path. The first detection of gravitational waves in 2015 by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) confirmed their existence, originating from a gravitational merger between two black holes located 1.3 billion light years away.
The recent confirmation of the gravitational wave background by the European and Indian Pulsar Timing Arrays indicates that we are detecting a combined signal from the mergers of supermassive black holes. This random distribution of gravity waves that permeates the Universe offers a new avenue for studying the cosmos, akin to the Cosmic Background Radiation. The collaborative efforts of various observatories and research institutions have enabled us to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Universe.
Utilizing pulsar timing arrays as galaxy-sized detectors, researchers have been able to monitor and analyze the pulse arrival times of galactic pulsars on Earth. By detecting subtle patterns in these signals, they can uncover the presence of the gravitational wave background. The latest study led by J. Antoniadis from the Institute of Astrophysics in Greece delves into the implications of the low-frequency signals observed in the recent data releases from various pulsar timing array systems.
The accumulation of data from multiple sources has provided undeniable evidence for the existence of the gravitational wave background. With ongoing Pulsar Timing Array projects, the signals of the low-frequency gravity waves will become more distinct, offering a wealth of opportunities to explore the Universe in this novel way. The focus now shifts towards interpreting these signals to unlock the secrets of the cosmos.
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